Information provision method, information processing system, information terminal, and information processing method

ABSTRACT

To objectively grasp a stress state of a user and to prevent a mental disorder of the user, the following steps are performed: acquiring, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings and time information corresponding to each of the multiple timings, wherein the biogas information represents a concentration of acetophenone of a user acquired by a sensor that detects acetophenone discharged from a skin surface of the user; obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of a normal range of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period of time, using a memory storing the reference information representing the upper limit of the normal range; determining a stress time period during which a concentration of the acetophenone of the user is more than the upper limit of the normal range, based on the acquired biological gas information; and outputting time period information indicating the determined stress time period to an information terminal of the user, to display the stress time period indicated by the time period information on a display of the information terminal.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information provision method andthe like.

Background Art

PTL 1 discloses a wristwatch-type conversation assistance device towhich a perspiration sensor, a pulse sensor, and a blood flow sensor areattached.

The wristwatch-type conversation assistance device measures emotion of auser wearing the wristwatch-type conversation assistance device by usingthe perspiration sensor, the pulse sensor, and the blood flow sensor,and displays, with characters and the like, a result of informationprocessing performed based on a result of the measurements by thesensors. For example, as the result of the measurements using theperspiration sensor, the pulse sensor, and the blood flow sensor, if theuser is slightly angry, the wristwatch-type conversation assistancedevice displays “Slightly angry”. If the user is slightly angry, thewristwatch-type conversation assistance device additionally displays amessage saying, for example, “Talk calmly”.

Further, PTL 1 discloses a system that displays a measurement result bya perspiration sensor and a blood flow sensor attached inside a shoe, ona wristwatch-type acquisition and display device with characters and thelike. In a similar manner to the above, as a result of the measurementsusing the perspiration sensor and the blood flow sensor, if the user isslightly angry, “Slightly angry” is displayed.

Further, PTL 1 discloses a wristwatch-type conversation assistancedevice attached with a blood sensor having one or more painless needles.Blood is collected to measure a blood substance and to thus measure achange in emotion of the user. Then, a similar process to the above isperformed.

Further, PTL 1 discloses an eyeglasses-type conversation assistancedevice in which a miniature camera and an eye camera are embedded. Theminiature camera measures an eye blink and a facial expression. Further,the eye camera measures an eye movement and an eye blink. Theeyeglasses-type conversation assistance device displays a result ofinformation processing based on the measurement of an eye blink and afacial expression by the miniature camera and based on the measurementof an eye movement and an eye blink by the eye camera, on atransmission-type display inside a lens of the eyeglasses-typeconversation assistance device lens, with characters and the like.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-46305

SUMMARY

However, the above conventional art needs to be further improved.

An aspect according to the present disclosure is a method for providinginformation in an information processing system, the method comprising:

acquiring, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings andtime information corresponding to each of the multiple timings, whereinthe biogas information represents a concentration of acetophenone of auser acquired by a sensor that detects acetophenone discharged from askin surface of the user;

obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of a normalrange of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period of time,using a memory storing the reference information representing the upperlimit of the normal range;

determining a stress time period during which a concentration of theacetophenone of the user is more than the upper limit of the normalrange, based on the acquired biological gas information; and

outputting time period information indicating the determined stress timeperiod to an information terminal of the user, to display the stresstime period indicated by the time period information on a display of theinformation terminal.

The above aspect can achieve further improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing temporal variations of concentrations ofcortisol in saliva of an examinee before and after a stress task andbefore and after a relaxation task.

FIG. 2 is a mass spectrum data of acetophenone collected from an armpitof the examinee.

FIG. 3 is a mass spectrum data of acetophenone in National Institute ofStandards and Technology (NIST) data base.

FIG. 4 is a list of peak areas of acetophenone in the mass spectrum databy analyzing, with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS),biogases collected during a stress task, after the stress task, during arelaxation task, and after the relaxation task.

FIG. 5 is a bar chart of average values and error ranges of the peakareas of acetophenone in the list of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a graph showing prediction data of biological data dealt in afirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a graph showing prediction data of the biological data dealtin the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of asensor for measuring biological data in the first embodiment of thepresent.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating in more detail an operation of thesensor shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between an electric fieldintensity and a ratio of ion mobility.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of aninformation processing system according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailedconfiguration of the information processing system shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data configurations of tablesstored in a memory.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in abiological information system shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of an initial phase processaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of a process of a normal phaseaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed ona user terminal as time period information.

FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a process in an informationprocessing system according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of a process of a normal phaseaccording to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor according to avariation of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(How an aspect according to the present disclosure has been conceived)

First, there will be described a point of observation of an aspectaccording to the present disclosure.

The present inventors are studying a method for objectively graspinginvisible stress.

When a mental disorder such as depression occurs, the mental disorder iscured by a psychiatrist. The present inventors are studying how to graspa sign of a mental disorder such as depression and to thus prevent amental disorder before the mental disorder occurs.

The present inventors have a hypothesis that there is some causationbetween stress and depression. Stress is not necessarily harmful to mindand body. However, when stress is accumulated, the accumulated stresstends to give adverse effects to mind and body, and depression isthought to be one of the adverse effects.

Depression is classified, depending on the cause, into three types: (1)“somatogenic depression”, (2) “endogenous depression”, and (3)“psychogenic depression”. The “somatogenic depression” is caused bycharacteristics of a brain or body organ or is caused by a drug. The“endogenous depression” has a genetic-level cause or has an inherentcause in a brain that causes a mental disorder. The “psychogenicdepression” is caused by experiencing psychological stress. It isdifficult to strictly sort out these three causes of depression, and itis also said that there is a high possibility that the three causesinteract with each other to cause depression (Cabinet Office of Japan“White Paper on the National Lifestyle 2008” Chapter 1, Section 3 “2.Stress society and modern pathology”,http://www5.cao.go.jp/seikatsu/whitepaper/h20/10_pdf/01_honpen/pdf/08sh_0103_03.pdf). Considering expectant women, it can be said that expectant womenare under an environment where all of the above types (1) to (3) areeasily satisfied. In a pregnancy period, because expectant women cannottake drugs and are restricted to exercise, it is difficult to work offstress. Therefore, there is a possibility that expectant women willdevelop mental disorders such as depression.

In addition, a report says that the postpartum depression tends todevelop within two weeks after childbirth (Keiko Yoshida, “Understandingof mental problems with expectant women and Childcare Support” Honorlecture, General Academic meeting FY2013, The Okinawa Journal of ChildHealth 41 (2014): p. 3-8,http://www.osh.or.jp/in_oki/pdf/41gou/kouen.pdf). Therefore, it isimportant to grasp, during a pregnancy period, a sign of postpartumdepression and to thus prevent postpartum depression. In addition, thereis a possibility that not only expectant women but also ordinary peoplecan develop a mental disorder such as depression due to work stress orthe like.

In view of the above, the present inventors are studying on developmentof a tool for objectively grasping, before a mental disorder such asdepression occurs, how much stress is accumulated on a person so that amental disorder such as depression can be prevented beforehand.

A description will be given below to cortisol, which is generallywell-known in association with stress. Cortisol is hormone whosesecretion amount increases when excessive stress is applied. For thisreason, by examining concentration of cortisol, it is possible to graspa stress amount at the time of the examination. The concentration ofcortisol can be measured by saliva sampling, blood sampling, or urineexamination. For example, if urine collection is continued for 24 hours,it is also possible to measure cumulative cortisol secretion for one dayand to thus evaluate a stress amount for one day.

If concentration of cortisol is high, Cushing's syndrome, stress,depression, anorexia nervosa, and other diseases are suspected. On theother hand, if concentration of cortisol is low, Addison's disease,congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)insensitivity, pituitary-adrenocortical insufficiency, and otherdiseases are suspected.

As described above, the concentration of cortisol is effective toevaluate stress, but it is not realistic to continuously perform salivasampling, blood sampling, or urine examination. Therefore, it isdifficult to grasp a temporal variation of the above concentration ofcortisol. Therefore, it is also difficult to grasp a temporal variationof stress of an examinee.

To address this issue, the present inventors set up a hypothesis that,as an evaluation index replacing the above cortisol, there is a biogasthat is discharged from a skin surface of a person when stress isapplied to mind and body. To prove the hypothesis through an experiment,the present inventors conducted an experiment to identify a biogas thathas a correlation with stress.

Specifically, the present inventors made each of 30 examinees perform atask that made each examinee feel stress, and biogases were collected,in a specific period before and after performing the task, from anunderarm and a hand of each examinee while saliva was collected fromeach examinee with predetermined time intervals. Then, from the salivacollected as described above, the present inventors draw graphs oftemporal variations of the cortisol concentration to specify examineeswhose temporal variations of the cortisol concentration were remarkable.The examinees specified above were identified to have had felt stresswith the above task.

Next, the present inventors selected a plurality of biogases that seemedto have a correlation with stress, by analyzing about 300 types ofbiogases collected from the armpits of the examinees who felt stress inthe above experiment. With respect to the thus selected biogases, bychecking the discharge amounts of the biogases during and afterperforming the task, it was found that acetophenone was discharged fromskins while the examinees felt stress. The description below will showin detail a procedure of the experiment until the above acetophenone wasidentified.

First, the present inventors built a psychology laboratory. Thepsychology laboratory had inside a small isolated room. The isolatedroom had only a glass window, through which it is possible to observeinside from outside. In addition, the isolated room was designed so thatpsychological pressure was applied to an examinee when the examinee dida stress task.

The present inventors introduced 30 examinees of Japanese women in their20's to 40's into the above psychology laboratory, one examinee at atime. Then, the saliva of the examinee was collected in the psychologylaboratory. In ten minutes after the saliva of the examinee wascollected, the examinee worked on a stress task including computationalproblems and a speech for 20 minutes. In 30 minutes just after the endof the above stress task, the saliva of the examinee was collectedtotally four times, once in every 10 minutes. With respect to the thuscollected saliva, the concentration of cortisol in each saliva samplewas measured by using a salivary cortisol quantitative kit (Salimetrics,LLC.).

In addition, along with the above saliva sampling, biogases werecollected from two places of the hand and the armpit of the examinee for20 minutes during the stress task and for 20 minutes from 10 minutes to30 minutes after the end of the stress task. The collection of biogasesfrom a hand were performed as follows: the hand of an examinee waswrapped with a bag for sampling gases was fixed with a rubber band at awrist part; and an absorbent for absorbing biogases was put in the bag.The collection of biogases from an armpit was performed by putting anabsorbent under the armpit of an examinee. The absorbent put under thearmpit was wrapped with cotton and was fixed with a bandage so that theabsorbent could not be displaced under the armpit. The reason whybiogases were collected from the hand and the underarm was that a handand an underarm had high density of sweat glands. Biogases may becollected not only from the above hand and underarm but also from anypart, as long as the biogases are collected from a skin surface.

On a day other than the day when the above stress task was performed,the saliva and the biogases of the examinees were each collected in thesame procedure as on the day when the above stress task was performedexcept that a relaxation task was performed instead of the stress task.As the relaxation task in the experiment, each examinee only watched anatural scenery digital versatile disc (DVD).

FIG. 1 is a graph showing temporal variations of concentrations ofcortisol in saliva of an examinee before and after a stress task andbefore and after a relaxation task. The vertical axis represents theconcentration of cortisol (μg/dL), and the horizontal axis representsthe time (minute) after the start of the stress task or the relaxationtask. The higher side of the vertical axis of FIG. 1 represents thehigher concentration of cortisol, and the higher concentration ofcortisol represents that an examinee felt the higher stress asabove-mentioned. The shadowed part of the graph of FIG. 1 (from 0minutes to 20 minutes on the horizontal axis) is a period during whichthe stress task or the relaxation task was performed. As a known fact,it is known that, in about 15 minutes after an examinee feels stress,the concentration of cortisol in saliva will increase.

With reference to the graph of FIG. 1, the concentration of cortisolincreased rapidly at 20 minutes after the stress task was started (thatis, immediately after the stress task was ended); however, there isalmost no change in the concentration of cortisol between before andafter the relaxation task. From this fact, it can be considered that theexaminee whose concentration of cortisol showed the temporal variationof FIG. 1 felt stress with the stress task.

On the other hand, there was an examinee whose concentration of cortisoldid not show such a temporal variation as that of FIG. 1. It can beconsidered that because such an examinee did not feel stress with thestress task, cortisol was not secreted in the saliva. Even if thebiogases of the examinee who did not feel stress as described above areevaluated, it is impossible to grasp the causation between stress andbiogases. Therefore, the examinees who did not feel stress were excludedfrom evaluation objects of biogases. In this way, from the 30 examinees,there were identified top 20 examinees (examinee Nos. 1 to 20) whoseconcentration of cortisol remarkably increased before and after thestress task.

By heating the absorbents (during the stress task, after the stresstask, during the relaxation task, and after the relaxation task)collected from the armpit of each of the above identified examinees, thebiogases of each examinee absorbed in each absorbent were desorbed. Byanalyzing the above desorbed biogases with a gas chromatography-massspectrometer (GC/MS manufactured by Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.),mass spectrum data of the biogases were obtained. By comparing the massspectrum data with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)data base by using analytical software of Agilent Technologies Japan,Ltd., acetophenone was identified. FIG. 2 shows mass spectrum data ofacetophenone in biogas, and FIG. 3 shows mass spectrum data ofacetophenone in the NIST data base. When the mass spectra of FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 are compared with each other, similar spectrum peaks wereobserved at almost identical mass-to-charge ratios (m/z). As describedabove, it was identified that acetophenone is contained as biogas.

Next, with respect to the above 20 examinees, the present inventorscalculated a peak area of each of the biogases discharged from theunderarm of each examinee (Examinee Nos. 1 to 20) during and after thestress task and during and after the relaxation task; and by comparingthe peak area of a mass spectrum of each biogas between during and afterthe stress task and between during and after the relaxation task, aplurality of substances were chosen as candidates related to stress frommore than 300 of biogas components. Of these candidate substances,acetophenone was apparently confirmed to have a correlation with stress.The chemical formula of acetophenone is shown below.

Next, in the above-mentioned conditions, the peak areas of acetophenonewere calculated from the mass spectra obtained with GC/MS. The tableshown in FIG. 4 is a list of peak areas of acetophenone in the massspectra obtained by analyzing, with GC/MS, the biogases discharged fromthe underarm of each examinee (Examinee Nos. 1 to 20) during the stresstask, after the stress task, during the relaxation task, and after therelaxation task. The larger value of the peak area in the mass spectrumshown in FIG. 4 indicates that the larger amount of acetophenone wasdischarged from the armpit. FIG. 5 is a bar chart of average values anderror ranges of the peak areas of acetophenone obtained from the list ofFIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the peak areas of acetophenonefor the stress task were compared with the peak areas of acetophenonefor the relaxation task, the peak areas of acetophenone were larger forthe stress condition than for the relaxation condition. In addition,when the peak area of acetophenone during the stress task in FIG. 5 wascompared with the peak area of acetophenone after the stress task, thepeak area of acetophenone during the stress task was larger than thepeak area of acetophenone after the stress task was ended. On the otherhand, there was no remarkable difference observed in the peak area ofacetophenone between during the relaxation task and after the relaxationtask was ended.

From the above results, it has become clear that a larger amount ofacetophenone was discharged from the underarms of the examinees duringthe stress task than during the relaxation task and that a larger amountof acetophenone was discharged from the underarms of the examineesduring the stress task than after the stress task was ended. From theseresults, it can be said that the discharge amount of acetophenone has acorrelation with the stress of the examinees. Therefore, acetophenonecan be an index for objectively evaluating the stress amount of anexaminee.

Based on the above experimental results, the present inventorsidentified that acetophenone is biogas resulting from stress. Thepresent inventors believe that these knowledges did not exist before thepresent application.

Next, a device to detect acetophenone was developed, and the device madeit possible to objectively grasp stress, which had been subjectivelyfelt. That is, by using a method in which a device such as a sensor isused to measure acetophenone discharged from the skin surface of ahuman, continuous measurement can be done. In this case, it is possibleto grasp when on a day a stress reaction occurred and what the personwas doing when the stress reaction occurred. Thus, it is possible toobjectively grasp a temporal variation of stress, and it is thusexpected that stress can be controlled.

In addition, the present inventors have to lead achievement that stresscan be objectively grasped by measuring the biogas resulting fromstress, to a final goal of preventing a mental disorder such asdepression. Each aspect of the invention according to the presentdisclosure relates to how to achieve the final goal.

Based on novel knowledge obtained as a result of the present inventors'hard studying, the present inventors have conceived the inventionaccording to the following aspects.

An aspect according to the present disclosure is a method for providinginformation in an information processing system, the method comprising:

acquiring, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings andtime information corresponding to each of the multiple timings, whereinthe biogas information represents a concentration of acetophenone of auser acquired by a sensor that detects acetophenone discharged from askin surface of the user;

obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of a normalrange of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period of time,using a memory storing the reference information representing the upperlimit of the normal range;

determining a stress time period during which a concentration of theacetophenone of the user is more than the upper limit of the normalrange, based on the acquired biological gas information; and

outputting time period information indicating the determined stress timeperiod to an information terminal of the user, to display the stresstime period indicated by the time period information on a display of theinformation terminal.

PTL 1 uses information such as perspiration, pulse, blood flow, eyeblink, and facial expression. However, values indicated by the aboveinformation vary when a person goes up and down stairs. Therefore,although the above information is not irrelevant to stress, theinformation varies also due to causes irrelevant to stress. For thisreason, the above information is not necessarily sufficient as amaterial for objectively determining a stress amount, and there is apossibility of erroneous determination.

In contrast, in the present aspect, a stress amount is objectivelydetermined by using acetophenone, which is biogas that is supposed tohave a relationship with stress. Therefore, it is possible toobjectively grasp a degree of accumulation of stress without beingaffected by a subjective feeling of a person.

As a result, a time period when the concentration of acetophenone of theuser exceeds the upper limit of the normal range is determined based onthe acquired biogas information, and information indicating thedetermined time period is output to the information terminal of theuser. This enables the person to objectively know a state of theperson's own stress, and prevention of a mental disorder such asdepression can thus be expected.

Further, in many cases, the user does not know what a stressor (stressfactor) is to himself or herself. By displaying, on the informationterminal, the time period when the upper limit of the normal range isexceeded, the user can look back on a day and objectively grasp how muchstress the user felt on the day, for example. Further, in the presentaspect, by taking as a clue what happened to the user in the time periodwhen the upper limit of the normal range was exceeded, the user can findout the user's stressor.

As described above, it is possible to grasp when on a day a stressreaction occurred and what the user was doing when the stress reactionoccurred, for example. Thus, it is possible to objectively grasp stress,and it is thus expected that stress can be controlled.

the upper limit of the normal range of the concentration of acetophenoneper the unit period of time may be set for the user as individualinformation of the user, based on the biological gas informationacquired in a predetermined period of time.

In this case, the user's own data is used as a standard value. Thedischarge amount of acetophenone, which is biogas, is affected by age,foods, body weight, and the like and has an individual variability;therefore, it is preferable to use the user's own data for accuratedetermination.

In contrast, PTL 1 does not disclose anything about how to holdreference information.

According to the present aspect, the user's own data is used as astandard value to determine a degree of stress. Therefore, anappropriate determination is possible for each person.

In addition, in the present aspect, the upper limit of the normal rangeof the concentration of acetophenone per the unit period of time may beused commonly to a plurality of users including the user.

In this case, since the standard value is commonly used for theplurality of users, it is possible to omit time and effort forgenerating and managing the standard value for each user.

Further, in the present aspect, the stress time period indicated by thetime period information may be displayed in association with scheduleinformation on the user, on the information terminal.

In this case, it is possible to easily check causation between stressand the user's own behavior by comparing the schedule information withthe time period when stress was high.

Further, in the present aspect, the sensor for detecting acetophenonemay be built in a device to be worn on the user.

In this case, since the sensor for detecting acetophenone is embedded inthe device to be mounted on the user, it is possible to enable, forexample, an object mounted on a user in a daily life to have a functionof the sensor. As a result, it is possible to reduce hassle of the userwearing the sensor.

Further, in the present aspect, the time information corresponding toeach of the multiple timings may be associated with each time when thesensor detects the biogas.

In this case, since it is determined, at a time when the biogas isobtained by the sensor, whether the concentration of acetophenoneexceeds the upper limit of the normal range, it is possible toaccurately notify the user of the time period when stress occurred. Notethat, in the present aspect, “the time when the biogas was obtained”means that the time information may indicate the time when the sensormeasured the biogas information or may indicate the time when aprocessing device such as a server acquired the biogas information fromthe sensor via a network.

An information processing system according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure includes:

a server device; and

an information terminal,

wherein the server device configured to:

-   -   acquire, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings        and time information corresponding to time at each of the        multiple timings, wherein the biogas information represents a        concentration of acetophenone of a user acquired by a sensor        that detects the acetophenone discharged from a skin surface of        the user;    -   obtain reference information representing an upper limit of a        normal range of the concentration of acetophenon per unit period        of time, using a memory storing the reference information        representing the upper limit of the normal range;    -   determine a stress time period during which a concentration of        the acetophenone of the user is more than the upper limit of the        normal range, based on the acquired biogas information; and    -   output time period information indicating the determined stress        time period to the information terminal, and

wherein the information terminal displays the stress time periodindicated by the time period information, on a display of theinformation terminal.

Further, an information terminal according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure may be used in the above information processingsystem.

Further, an information processing method according to another aspect ofthe present disclosure is a method for processing information using acomputer, the method comprising:

acquiring, via a network, biogas information at multiple timings andtime information corresponding to time at each of the multiple timings,wherein the biogas information represents a concentration ofacetophenone of a user acquired by a sensor that detects acetophenonedischarged from a skin surface of the user;

obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of a normalrange of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period of time,using a memory storing the reference information representing the upperlimit of the normal range;

determining a stress time period during which a concentration of theacetophenone of the user is more than the upper limit of the normalrange, based on the acquired biogas information; and

outputting notice information representing that stress on the user ismore than the upper limit of a predetermined normal range within thedetermined stress time period to display the notice information on adisplay.

In accordance with the present aspect, when the concentration ofacetophenone exceeds the upper limit of the normal range, theinformation indicating that the stress of the user exceeds a normalrange is displayed on the display. On the other hand, when theconcentration of acetophenone is less or equal to the upper limit of thenormal range, the information indicating that the stress of the user iswithin a normal range is displayed on the display. Therefore, it ispossible to notify the user of an objective determination resultindicating whether the user is in a stress state.

First Embodiment (Prediction Data)

FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphs each showing prediction data of biologicaldata dealt in a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In each ofFIGS. 6A and 6B, the vertical axis represents biogas concentration (anexample of the biogas information), and the horizontal axis representstime. The prediction data does not represent actually measuredbiological data but just data made by predicting biological data. Thebiological data is the biological data measured by a sensor mounted onthe user as will be mentioned below. The biological data representsmeasurement values of a concentration of a measurement object biogas(biogas concentration) of the biogases discharged from a skin surface ofa user. In the present disclosure, the biogas to be the measurementobject is acetophenone. A unit of the biogas concentration is μg/dL, forexample.

FIG. 6A shows a temporal transition of the biological data of the userwhen no stress is applied, and FIG. 6B shows a temporal transition ofthe biological data of the user when stress is applied. As shown in FIG.6A, regarding the biological data when no stress is applied, the biogasconcentration is within the normal range. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 6B, regarding the biological data when stress is applied, afrequency with which the biogas concentration exceeds an upper limit DHof the normal range is higher. In the example of FIG. 6B, the biogasconcentration exceeds the upper limit DH four times in a time periodfrom 06:00 to 24:00.

In the present disclosure, the time period when the biogas concentrationexceeds the upper limit DH is determined, and the information indicatingthe determined time period is notified to the user, so that a mentaldisorder such as depression is prevented.

(Sensor)

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration ofsensor 3 that measures the biological data in the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

As sensor 3, in the present disclosure, there is used a sensor using,for example, the technology of Field Asymmetric Ion MobilitySpectrometry (FAIMS). The field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer isused to selectively separate one type of substance from a mixtureincluding two or more types of substances.

Sensor 3 includes detection unit 33, controller 31, and communicationunit 34. Detection unit 33 includes ionizer 301, filter 302, detector303, power supply 304, and high-frequency amplifier 305. Note that, inFIG. 7, the arrowed lines show flows of electric signals, and the linesconnecting among ionizer 301, filter 302, and detector 303 show flow ofthe biogas.

Power supply 304 and high-frequency amplifier 305 are respectively usedto drive ionizer 301 and filter 302. From the biogas ionized by usingionizer 301, only an intended biogas (acetophenone in the presentdisclosure) is separated with filter 302, and an amount of ions havingpassed through filter 302 is detected by detector 303, so thatinformation indicating the biogas concentration is obtained. Theobtained information is output via communication unit 34. Controller 31controls driving of sensor 3.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating in more detail an operation of sensor 3shown in FIG. 7. A mixture supplied to ionizer 301 is the biogasdischarged from the skin surface of the user. Ionizer 301 may include aninlet for taking in the biogas having been discharged from the skinsurface of the user. Further, the inlet may be provided with anabsorbent for absorbing the biogas. In addition, a heater may beprovided to desorb the biogas absorbed in the absorbent from theabsorbent. In the example of FIG. 8, the mixture is supposed to includethree types of gases 202 to 204 for the purpose of description. Gases202 to 204 are ionized by using ionizer 301.

Ionizer 301 includes a corona discharge source, a radiation source, andother units and ionizes gases 202 to 204. Ionized gases 202 to 204 aresupplied to filter 302 disposed adjacent to ionizer 301. Note that thecorona discharge source and the radiation source constituting ionizer301 are driven by a voltage supplied from power supply 304.

Filter 302 includes first electrode 201 a and second electrode 201 beach provided parallel to each other and having a flat plate shape.First electrode 201 a is grounded. On the other hand, second electrode201 b is connected to high-frequency amplifier 305.

High-frequency amplifier 305 includes AC voltage source 205 a forgenerating an asymmetric AC voltage and variable voltage source 205 bthat generates a compensation voltage CV, which is a DC voltage. ACvoltage source 205 a generates the asymmetric AC voltage and applies theasymmetric AC voltage to second electrode 201 b. One end of variablevoltage source 205 b is connected to second electrode 201 b, and theother end is grounded. With this arrangement, the asymmetric AC voltagegenerated by AC voltage source 205 a is superposed with the compensationvoltage CV and is suppled to second electrode 201 b.

Between first electrode 201 a and second electrode 201 b, three types ofgases 202 to 204 having been ionized are supplied. Three types of gases202 to 204 are influenced by the electric field generated between firstelectrode 201 a and second electrode 201 b.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between an electric fieldintensity and a ratio of ion mobility, the vertical axis represents theratio of ion mobility, and the horizontal axis represents the electricfield intensity (V/cm). The coefficient α depends on the type of ion.The ratio of ion mobility represents the ratio of the mobility in highelectric fields to the ion mobility in the small electric field limit.

As represented by curved line 701, the ionized gas with a coefficientα>0 moves more actively when the electric field intensity increases. Theion having a mass-to-charge ratio smaller than 300 moves in this way.

As represented by curved line 702, the ionized gas with the coefficientα, which is almost 0, moves more actively when the electric fieldintensity increases; however, the mobility of the ionized gas decreaseswhen the electric field intensity further increases.

As represented by curved line 703, the mobility of the ionized gas withthe coefficient α, which is negative, decreases when the electric fieldintensity increases. An ion having a mass-to-charge ratio of greaterthan or equal to 300 moves in this way.

Because of the differences between the mobilities, three types of gases202 to 204 move in different directions inside filter 302 as shown inFIG. 8. In the example of FIG. 8, only gas 203 is discharged from filter302. On the other hand, gas 202 is trapped by a surface of firstelectrode 201 a, and gas 204 is trapped by a surface of second electrode201 b. In this way, from three types of gases 202 to 204, only gas 203is selectively separated and is discharged from filter 302. That is, onsensor 3, when the electric field intensity is appropriately set, anintended gas can be discharged from filter 302. Note that the electricfield intensity is determined by the voltage value of the compensationvoltage CV and a waveform of the asymmetric AC voltage generated by ACvoltage source 205 a. Therefore, sensor 3 can discharge the biogas to bethe measurement object from filter 302 by setting the voltage value ofthe compensation voltage CV and the waveform of the asymmetric ACvoltage to a predetermined voltage value and waveform, depending on thetype (acetophenone in the present disclosure) of the biogas to be themeasurement object.

Detector 303 is disposed adjacent to filter 302. In other words, filter302 is disposed between ionizer 301 and detector 303. Detector 303includes electrode 310 and ammeter 311 to detect gas 203 having passedthrough filter 302.

Gas 203 having reached detector 303 delivers an electric charge toelectrode 310. The value of a current flowing in proportion to theamount of the delivered electric charge is measured by ammeter 311. Fromthe value of the current measured by ammeter 311, the concentration ofgas 203 is measured.

(Network Configuration)

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration ofthe information processing system according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The information processing system provides acare service for taking care of stress of user U1. This care service isprovided by, for example, an insurance company or the like with whichuser U1 is contracted. Note that the care service may be actuallyperformed by, for example, a manufacturer that manufactures sensor 3 andthat is subcontracted by the insurance company. Alternatively, the careservice may be provided by a service provider different from theinsurance company that provides the care service itself.

The insurance company provides user U1 with an insurance service such aslife insurance and medical insurance. In this case, the insurancecompany prevents diseases resulting from a mental disorder of user U1by, for example, lending sensor 3 to user U1, acquiring biological dataof user U1 and managing a stress state of user U1. This enables theinsurance company to save spending of insurance money. Since this careservice forces user U1 to wear sensor 3, some users U1 feel a burden. Toaddress this issue, the insurance company may provide an insurance planin which an insurance fee to be paid by user U1 is discounted inexchange for this care service.

The information processing system includes server 1 (an example of theserver device), user terminal 2 (an example of the informationterminal), and sensor 3.

Server 1 and user terminal 2 are communicably connected to each othervia network NT. Network NT is configured with a network including aninternet communication network, a portable telephone communicationnetwork, and a public telephone line network. Sensor 3 and user terminal2 are communicably connected to each other via short-range wirelesscommunication such as wireless local area network (LAN) of IEEE802.11b,Bluetooth (registered trade mark, IEEE802.15.1), or the like.

Server 1 is configured with, for example, a cloud server including oneor more computers. Server 1 includes: a processor such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or thelike; and a memory. Server 1 acquires the biological data of user U1measured by sensor 3 via user terminal 2 and network NT, and determineswhether the biogas concentration is within the normal range.

User terminal 2 is configured with a portable information processingdevice such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. However,user terminal 2 may be configured with a stationary computer. Userterminal 2 is held by user U1.

Sensor 3 is mounted on, for example, an arm of user U1 and detects theconcentration of the biogas discharged from an underarm of user U1.Sensor 3 includes, for example, a fitting belt, and a user winds thefitting belt around the arm at a position close to the underarm, so thatsensor 3 is attached in the vicinity of the underarm. This arrangementenables sensor 3 to detect the biogas discharged from the underarm. Asthe position, on the arm, in the vicinity of the underarm, it ispossible to employ, for example, a position that is on the arm and isslightly close to the elbow from a connection point between the body andthe arm. Note that when it is considered that the biogas is dischargedmuch from the underarm, sensor 3 is preferably attached, for example, insuch a manner that the inlet for collecting the biogas is located on therear side of the arm. In this case, the reason why sensor 3 is attachedat the position, on the arm, in the vicinity of the underarm is that itis difficult to attach sensor 3 to the underarm itself. However, this isan example. For example, sensor 3 may be attached to an underarm part ofa shirt to be put on user U1. This arrangement enables sensor 3 to facethe underarm, and the biogas can be more surely collected. Note thatthis shirt is an example of the device to be mounted on a user.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailedconfiguration of the information processing system shown in FIG. 10.Server 1 includes controller 11, memory 12, and communication unit 13.Controller 11 is configured with a processor and includes data analyzer111. Data analyzer 111 is realized by, for example, a processorexecuting a program making a computer execute an information provisionmethod, of the present disclosure, stored in memory 12. Note that theprogram making a computer execute an information provision method of thepresent disclosure may be provided by download through a network or maybe provided by way of a computer-readable non-volatile recording mediumstoring the program.

If communication unit 13 receives the biological data obtained by sensor3, data analyzer 111 acquires the biological data from communicationunit 13. Then, data analyzer 111 reads out from memory 12 theinformation indicating the upper limit DH of the normal range of thebiogas concentration, and determines a time period when the biogasconcentration indicated by the biological data exceeds the upper limitDH. Then, data analyzer 111 registers the biological data in biologicaldata table T4 (FIG. 12) stored in memory 12, in association with aresult of the determination. Further, when the biological data has beenaccumulated for a prescribed period (for example, one day, half a day,two days, one week, or one month), data analyzer 111 transmits, to userterminal 2 via communication unit 13, the information indicating thetime period when the biogas concentration in the biological data in theprescribed period exceeded the upper limit DH (hereinafter, theinformation is described as “time period information”).

Memory 12 stores information indicating the normal range of the biogasconcentration. In the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 12, memory 12stores normal range data table T2 and biological data table T4. FIG. 12is a diagram showing an example of data configurations of the tablesstored in memory 12.

Normal range data table T2 stores the normal ranges of stress of thebiogas concentrations of one or more users who receive a care service.In normal range data table T2, one record is assigned to one user, and“user ID”, “measurement date and time”, and “normal range” are stored inassociation with each other.

In a “user ID” field, there is stored an identifier for uniquelyidentifying a user who receives a care service. In a “measurement dateand time” field, there is stored a time period corresponding to ameasurement date and time of the biological data used to calculate thenormal range. In a “normal range” field, there is stored the normalrange calculated by using the biological data stored in the “measurementdate and time” field. In the “normal range” field, there are stored alower limit DL and an upper limit DH of the normal range.

For example, regarding a user with the user ID “S00001”, the normalrange is calculated by using the biological data measured in the timeperiod from 20:00 to 21:00 on Jan. 20, 2017.

As described above, in the present disclosure, since the normal range isalready calculated for each user, stress can be determined for each userby using the normal range appropriate to each user, so thatdetermination accuracy can be improved. In the present disclosure, thenormal range is calculated for each user, but this is just an example,and it is possible to use an average value of the normal rangescalculated for a part of all the users, as the normal range for all theusers. Alternatively, an average value of the normal ranges of all theusers may be used as the normal range for all the users. In these cases,it is not necessary to store or calculate the normal range for eachuser, and it is thus possible to save memory consumption and to reduceprocess steps.

Biological data table T4 stores the biological data obtained by sensor3. In biological data table T4, one record is assigned to one piece ofbiological data, and “user ID”, “date”, “time”, “concentration”, and“determination result” are stored in association with each other.

In a “user ID” field, there is stored a user ID that is the same as theuser ID stored in normal range data table T2. In a “date” field, thereis stored a measurement date of the biological data. In a “time” field,there is stored the time period when the biological data was measured.In a “concentration” field, there is stored the biogas concentrationindicated by the biological data. In a “determination result” field,there is stored the determination result whether the biogasconcentration is within the normal range. Note that in the “time” field,there may be stored the time period when the biological data wasacquired by server 1.

For example, in the record on the first row of biological data table T4,there is stored the biological data, which is the biogas concentration“00”, of the user with the user ID “S00001” measured in the time period10:00 to 11:00 on Feb. 15, 2017. In addition, in the record on the firstrow, there is “Normal” stored in the “Determination result” fieldbecause the biogas concentration is within the normal range. On theother hand, in the record on the second row, there is stored “Abnormal”in the “Determination result” field because the biogas concentration wasout of the normal range.

Note that biological data table T4 shows only the biological data of theuser with the user ID “S00001”. However, this is just an example, and inbiological data table T4 there is stored the biological data of all ofthe users who receive a care service.

Refer back to FIG. 11 again. Communication unit 13 is configured with,for example, a communication circuit that connects server 1 to networkNT, and communication unit 13 receives the biological data measured bysensor 3 and transmits the time period information to user terminal 2.

User terminal 2 includes controller 21, memory 22, display unit 23 (anexample of the display), and communication unit 24. Controller 21 isconfigured with a processor such as a CPU, and performs overall controlof user terminal 2. Memory 22 stores various types of data. In thepresent disclosure, memory 22 stores, in particular, an application tobe performed on user terminal 2 to make user U1 receive a care service.In addition, memory 22 stores the user ID in association with biologicaldata.

Display unit 23 is configured with, for example, a display including atouch panel, and displays various types of information. In the presentdisclosure, display unit 23 displays, in particular, the time periodinformation. Communication unit 24 is configured with a communicationcircuit that connects user terminal 2 to network NT and, at the sametime, makes user terminal 2 communicate with sensor 3. In the presentdisclosure, communication unit 24 receives, in particular, thebiological data transmitted from sensor 3 and transmits the receivedbiological data to server 1 in association with the user ID stored inmemory 22. Further, in the present disclosure, communication unit 24receives, in particular, the time period information transmitted fromserver 1. Note that display unit 23 does not have to be configured witha touch panel. In this case, user terminal 2 only has to include anoperation unit to receive an operation from the user.

Sensor 3 includes controller 31, memory 32, detection unit 33, andcommunication unit 34. Controller 31 is configured with a processor suchas a CPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), and performs overallcontrol of sensor 3. Memory 32 temporarily stores, for example, thebiological data measured by detection unit 33. In addition, memory 32stores data (for example, a frequency and amplitude on the positive sideand amplitude on the negative side) that is necessary for AC voltagesource 205 a to generate the asymmetric AC voltage. Further, memory 32stores a voltage value of the compensation voltage CV.

Communication unit 34 is configured with a communication circuit forwireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trade mark), or the like, andtransmits the biological data measured by detection unit 33 to userterminal 2. This biological data is received by communication unit 24 ofuser terminal 2 and is transmitted to server 1 via network NT.

(Sequence)

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in thebiological information system shown in FIG. 11. This sequence diagram isdivided into an initial phase from step S101 to step S106 and a normalphase including step S201 and the steps subsequent thereto. The initialphase is for calculating the normal range of a user and is performedimmediately after the care service is introduced. The normal phase isfor monitoring the stress state of a user by using the normal rangecalculated in the initial phase.

The initial phase is performed, for example, when the application foruser terminal 2 for receiving the care service is started on userterminal 2 by a user for the first time.

First, display unit 23 of user terminal 2 receives input of userinformation (step S101). In this step, display unit 23 may allow theuser to input user information by displaying a registration screen toallow the user to input the user information such as a user ID, atelephone number, an e-mail address, an SNS account, and the like. Here,as the user ID, it is possible to use the user ID issued when the usermakes an insurance contract with an insurance company, for example.Alternatively, the user ID may be the user ID issued by server 1 andnotified to user terminal 2 when server 1 receives the user informationin step S102 to be described later. In this case, the user does not haveto input a user ID on the registration screen.

Next, controller 21 of user terminal 2 transmits the user informationhaving been input to server 1 by using communication unit 24 (stepS102). The transmitted user information is stored, by controller 41 ofserver 1, in a user information table (not shown) that manages userinformation of one or more users who receives a care service.

Next, detection unit 33 of sensor 3 measures the initial biological dataof the user (step S103). Next, controller 31 of sensor 3 transmits themeasured initial biological data to user terminal 2 by usingcommunication unit 34 (step S104).

On user terminal 2, if communication unit 24 receives the initialbiological data, controller 21 transmits the initial biological data toserver 1 in association with the user ID (step S105).

Because the initial biological data is used to calculate the normalrange of the user, it is a precondition that the user is not in a stressstate. For this reason, after the transmission of the user informationis finished (step S102), user terminal 2 may cause display unit 23 todisplay, for example, a message such as “Biological data will bemeasured. Please wear the sensor and stay calm for a while”. Dataanalyzer 111 of server 1 sets the normal range (step S106). The normalrange having been set is stored in normal range data table T2 inassociation with the user ID by data analyzer 111 of server 1.

This completes the initial phase. Subsequently, the normal phase will beperformed.

First, on sensor 3, detection unit 33 measures biological data (stepS201), and controller 31 transmits the biological data to user terminal2 by using communication unit 34 (step S202).

Next, on user terminal 2, if communication unit 24 receives thebiological data, controller 21 transmits the biological data to server 1by using communication unit 24 in association with the user ID (stepS203).

Next, on server 1, if communication unit 13 receives the biologicaldata, data analyzer 111 compares the biological data with the normalrange and accumulates the determination result (step S204). In thisstep, the determination result is accumulated in the “determinationresult” field in the record for the concerning user in normal range datatable T2, by using the user ID as a key.

Next, when a prescribed period has elapsed, data analyzer 111 transmits,to user terminal 2 by using communication unit 13, the time periodinformation about the time period when the biogas concentration exceededthe upper limit of the normal range in the prescribed period (stepS205).

Next, on user terminal 2, when communication unit 24 receives the timeperiod information, controller 21 displays the time period informationon display unit 23 (step S206).

Note that if the prescribed period has not elapsed, the process of stepS205 and the steps subsequent thereto is not performed, and the processof steps S201 to S204 is repeated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the initial phase processaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Theflowchart is executed on server 1. First, communication unit 13 receivesthe user information transmitted from user terminal 2 (step S301).

Next, communication unit 13 receives the initial biological datatransmitted from user terminal 2 (step S302). Next, if the initialbiological data is not completely acquired (step S303: NO), dataanalyzer 111 returns the process back to step S302. On the other hand,if the initial biological data is completely acquired (step S303: YES),data analyzer 111 proceeds the process to step S304. In this process,data analyzer 111 may finish acquisition of the initial biological dataif the number of pieces of received initial biological data reaches apredetermined number sufficient to calculate the normal range or if apredetermined measurement period has elapsed since start of measurementof the initial biological data. In the present disclosure, as themeasurement period for the initial phase, one hour, two hours, threehours, one day, two days, three days, or the like is used, for example,although depending on the measurement interval for the biological data.For example, if the measurement interval for the biological data isshort, many pieces of initial biological data can be obtained in a shorttime, and the measurement period for the initial biological data can beaccordingly reduced. For example, if one hour is used as the measurementinterval for the biological data, half a day, one day, two days, threedays, or the like is used as the measurement period for the initialbiological data, for example. If one minute or one second is used as themeasurement interval for the biological data, ten minutes, 20 minutes,one hour, two hours, three hours, or the like is used as the measurementperiod for the initial biological data, for example. However, thesenumerical values are just examples and can be changed appropriately.

Note that the measurement period for the initial biological datacorresponds to an example of the predetermined period of time.

Next, data analyzer 111 sets the normal range by using the obtainedinitial biological data (step S304). Suppose, for example, the initialbiological data as shown in FIG. 6A is obtained. In this case, dataanalyzer 111 extracts an upper limit peak and a lower limit peak of thebiogas concentration by analyzing the obtained initial biological data.Then, data analyzer 111 may calculate a value as the upper limit DH byadding a predetermined margin to the upper limit peak, and may calculatea value as the lower limit DL by subtracting a predetermined margin fromthe lower limit peak. Alternatively, data analyzer 111 may calculate avalue as the upper limit DH by adding a predetermined margin to anaverage value of the upper-side peaks, and may calculate a value as thelower limit DL by subtracting a predetermined margin from an averagevalue of the low-side peaks. By the above process, the normal range isset for each user.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the process of the normalphase according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Notethat, the flowchart of FIG. 15 is periodically executed on server 1 atthe measurement intervals of sensor 3 measuring the biological data.

First, communication unit 13 receives the biological data from userterminal 2 (step S401). Next, data analyzer 111 determines whether thestress state is normal or abnormal, by comparing the biogasconcentration indicated by the biological data to the normal range forthe concerning user, and data analyzer 111 accumulates the determinationresult in biological data table T4 (step S402). In detail, data analyzer111 may store, in biological data table T4, the determination result inassociation with the user ID, the measurement date and time, and thebiogas concentration. Now refer to biological data table T4 of FIG. 12.On the record on the first row, there are written “2017.2.15” on the“date” field and “10:00-11:00” on the “time” field. This is because themeasurement interval for the biological data is set to one hour and thisbiological data was measured between 10:00 and 11:00 on Feb. 15, 2017.

In the present disclosure, as the biogas of the measurement object,acetophenone is used. Acetophenone has a positive correlation withintensity of stress. Therefore, data analyzer 111 may determine, if thebiogas concentration is greater than the upper limit DH of the normalrange, that the stress state is abnormal and, if the biogasconcentration is lower than or equal to the upper limit DH, that thestress state is normal.

Next, if data analyzer 111 acquires the biological data for theprescribed period (one day, for example) (step S403: YES), data analyzer111 proceeds the process to step S404, and if data analyzer 111 does notacquire the biological data for one day (step S403: NO), data analyzer111 turns the process back to step S401 and acquires the biological datato be measured next.

In this process, in a case where one day is used as the prescribedperiod, when it becomes “00:00”, data analyzer 111 may determine YES instep S403 and deal with the biological data for one day obtained on theprevious day, as the biological data to be processed.

Next, data analyzer 111 transmits the time period information to userterminal 2 by using communication unit 13 (step S404). In this step,data analyzer 111 may transmit data indicating a temporal transition ofthe biogas concentration obtained in the prescribed period and the timeperiod when the biogas concentration got out of the normal range, byembedding the data indicating the temporal transition and the timeperiod, in the time period information. In this step, as the timing whentime period information is transmitted, a predetermined time (forexample, 07:00) in the next morning may be used, for example. When stepS404 is finished, the process goes back to step S401.

By the above process, it is determined whether stress exceeded thenormal range.

(Time Period Information)

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of display screen G1 displayedon user terminal 2 as time period information. Display screen G1includes graph G11 and message display field G12.

Graph G11 shows a temporal transition of the degree of stress in thebiological data obtained in the prescribed period (one day on February19th, in this case). In graph G11, the vertical axis represents thedegree of stress, and the horizontal axis represents time. The degree ofstress corresponds to the biogas concentration. In graph G11, thetriangular markers are displayed at the points at which the degree ofstress exceeded the upper limit of the normal range. This displayindicates the user the time period when the biogas concentrationexceeded the upper limit of the normal range. This configuration enablesthe user to look back his or her life in the prescribed period and toknow the reason (stressor) why the stress became high.

In message display field G12, there is displayed a message notifying theuser that the triangular markers are in the time period when the degreeof stress was high.

(Schedule Information)

In this embodiment, display screen G1 shown in FIG. 16 may displayschedule information of the concerning user. In this case, server 1 mayinclude a data base that manages the schedule information of the user.

The data base managing the schedule information stores, for example,pieces of information such as “user ID”, “schedule”, and “date and time”in association with each other. “Schedule” is a schedule of the user(for example, “conference” and the like), and is input by the user via,for example, user terminal 2. “Date and time” is a scheduled date andtime when the schedule written in “schedule” is to be done and is inputby the user via user terminal 2.

When transmitting the time period information, server 1 transmits touser terminal 2 the schedule information of the concerning user in theprescribed period by embedding the schedule information in the timeperiod information.

User terminal 2 may generate display screen G1 by using the scheduleinformation. As a display form of the schedule information, an aspectcan be employed in which the schedule information is displayed in graphG11 in association with the time period of the user. For example, a formmay be employed in which the schedule of the user is displayed inassociation with the time shown on graph G11. This display enables theuser to easily check the causation between stress and behaviors of theuser herself.

As described above, the first embodiment makes it possible toobjectively determine a stress amount by using acetophenone, which isbiogas that is supposed to have a relationship with stress. Therefore,it is possible to objectively grasp a degree of accumulation of stresswithout being affected by a subjective feeling of a person.

Further, in the first embodiment, by displaying, on user terminal 2, thetime period when the upper limit of the normal range is exceeded, theuser can, for example, look back on a day and objectively grasp how muchstress the user felt on the day. Further, in the first embodiment, bytaking as a clue what happened to the user in the time period when theupper limit of the normal range was exceeded, the user can find out theuser's stressor.

Second Embodiment

In the second embodiment, the functions of server 1 are incorporated inuser terminal 2. Note that in the second embodiment, the same componentsas in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference signs and arenot described again. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a process inan information processing system according to the second embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

In FIG. 17, the difference from FIG. 13 is that server 1 is omitted andthat information processing system is configured with sensor 3 and userterminal 2. Steps S501 to S504 correspond to the initial phase.

Steps S501, S502, and S503 are the same as steps S101, S103, and S104 inFIG. 13. Step S504 is the same as step S106 in FIG. 13 except that stepS504 is performed not on server 1 but on user terminal 2.

Steps S601 to S604 correspond to the normal phase. Steps S601 and S602are the same as steps S201 and S202 in FIG. 13. Step S603 is the same asstep S204 in FIG. 13 except that step S603 is performed not on server 1but on user terminal 2.

In step S604, if the determination result of step S603 indicatesabnormal, controller 21 of user terminal 2 causes display unit 23 todisplay information indicating that the stress of the user is out of thenormal range. On the other hand, in step S604, if the determinationresult of step S603 indicates normal, controller 21 of user terminal 2causes display unit 23 to display information indicating that the stressof the user is within the normal range.

Note that in the second embodiment, a flowchart of the initial phase isthe same as the flowchart of FIG. 14. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showingdetails of the process of the normal phase according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the flowchart isperformed on user terminal 2.

First, communication unit 24 receives the biological data from sensor 3(step S701). Next, controller 21 determines whether the stress state isnormal or abnormal, by comparing the biogas concentration indicated bythe biological data with the normal range for the concerning user, andcontroller 21 accumulates the determination result in biological datatable T4 (step S702).

Next, if the determination result of step S703 indicates abnormal (stepS703: YES) controller 21 causes display unit 23 to display informationindicating that the degree of stress (biogas concentration) got out ofthe normal range (step S705). In this step, as the informationindicating that the degree of stress got out of the normal range, amessage saying, for example, “Stress is high” may be used.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S703 indicates notabnormal, in other words, indicates normal (step S703: NO), controller21 causes display unit 23 to display information indicating that thedegree of stress (biogas concentration) is within the normal range(S704). In this step, as the information indicating that the degree ofstress is within the normal range, a message saying, for example,“Stress is normal” can be used.

If step S704 or S705 is finished, the process goes back to step S701.

As described above, in the information processing system according tothe second embodiment, the information indicating whether the degree ofstress is within the normal range is displayed on display unit 23;therefore, the user can be notified of an objective determination resultindicating whether the user is currently in a stress state.

In the present disclosure, the following variations can be employed.

(1) In the above description, sensor 3 is integrally configured, but thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above configuration. FIG. 19 isa diagram showing an example of sensor 3 according to a variation of thepresent disclosure. Regarding sensor 3 according to the variation,wearable part 3A to be mounted on a user and main body part 3B areseparately configured. Wearable part 3A is configured with a fittingbelt that is detachable to the arm at a point near the underarm of theuser. Wearable part 3A is attached with an absorbent for absorbing abiogas.

Wearable part 3A is configured to be detachable also to main body part3B. Main body part 3B includes detection unit 33, controller 31, andcommunication unit 34 shown in FIG. 7. When wearable part 3A is attachedto main body part 3B, main body part 3B heats the adsorbent with, forexample, a heater to desorb the biogas from the adsorbent, analyzes thebiogas, extracts a measurement object biogas (acetophenone in thisembodiment), and measures a biogas concentration. Then, main body part3B transmits the biological data including the measured biogasconcentration to user terminal 2. In this variation, wearable part 3A ismade compact, and a user's burden can be thus reduced.

(2) In the second embodiment, user terminal 2 may be configured with acomputer used by a doctor who examines the user. In this case, at thetime of examination, the doctor may make the user wear sensor 3 andcause user terminal 2 to acquire the biological data and to determinethe stress of the user.

Alternatively, the doctor may cause user terminal 2 to acquire thebiological data previously measured by sensor 3 for a prescribed period(for example, one, two, or three days) and to thus determine the stressof the user. In this case, the user is instructed by the doctor to wearsensor 3 beforehand. Sensor 3 stores the biological data measured inthis prescribed period in memory 32 in association with the measurementtime. Memory 32 is a memory detachable to sensor 3.

User brings memory 32 to the hospital when visiting the hospital. Thedoctor connects this memory 32 to user terminal 2 to cause user terminal2 to acquire the biological data obtained in the prescribed period.Then, if the biogas concentration indicated by the acquired biologicaldata exceeds the upper limit of the normal range, user terminal 2 causesdisplay unit 23 to display information indicating the fact. On the otherhand, if the biogas concentration indicated by the acquired biologicaldata is less than or equal to the upper limit of the normal range, userterminal 2 causes display unit 23 to display information indicating thefact.

This variation can provide a doctor who makes a diagnosis of conditionsof the user visiting the hospital, with data useful to prevent a mentaldisorder. Note that the present variation may be applied to a regularhealth examination.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is expected to prevent a mental disorder and istherefore useful for an information processing system that managesstress of a user.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 server    -   2 user terminal    -   3 sensor    -   11 controller    -   12 memory    -   13 communication unit    -   21 controller    -   22 memory    -   23 display unit    -   24 communication unit    -   31 controller    -   32 memory    -   33 detection unit    -   34 communication unit    -   111 data analyzer    -   NT network    -   T2 normal range data table    -   T4 biological data table    -   U1 user

1. A method for providing information in an information processingsystem, the method comprising: acquiring, via a network, biogasinformation at multiple timings and time information corresponding toeach of the multiple timings, wherein the biogas information representsa concentration of acetophenone of a user acquired by a sensor thatdetects acetophenone discharged from a skin surface of the user;obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of a normalrange of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period of time,using a memory storing the reference information representing the upperlimit of the normal range; determining a stress time period during whicha concentration of the acetophenone of the user is more than the upperlimit of the normal range, based on the acquired biogas information; andoutputting time period information indicating the determined stress timeperiod to an information terminal of the user, to display the stresstime period indicated by the time period information on a display of theinformation terminal.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein theupper limit of the normal range of the concentration of acetophenone perthe unit period of time is set for the user as individual information ofthe user, based on the biogas information acquired in a predeterminedperiod of time.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the upperlimit of the normal range of the concentration of acetophenone per theunit period of time is used commonly to a plurality of users includingthe user.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stress timeperiod indicated by the time period information is displayed inassociation with schedule information on the user, on the informationterminal.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor fordetecting acetophenone is built in a device to be worn on the user. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the time informationcorresponding to each of the multiple timings is associated with eachtime when the sensor detects the biogas.
 7. An information processingsystem comprising: a server device; and an information terminal, whereinthe server device configured to: acquire, via a network, biogasinformation at multiple timings and time information corresponding totime at each of the multiple timings, wherein the biogas informationrepresents a concentration of acetophenone of a user acquired by asensor that detects the acetophenone discharged from a skin surface ofthe user; obtain reference information representing an upper limit of anormal range of the concentration of acetophenon per unit period oftime, using a memory storing the reference information representing theupper limit of the normal range; determine a stress time period duringwhich a concentration of the acetophenone of the user is more than theupper limit of the normal range, based on the acquired biogasinformation; and output time period information indicating thedetermined stress time period to the information terminal, and whereinthe information terminal displays the stress time period indicated bythe time period information, on a display of the information terminal.8. An information terminal used in the information processing systemaccording to claim
 7. 9. A method for processing information using acomputer, the method comprising: acquiring, via a network, biogasinformation at multiple timings and time information corresponding totime at each of the multiple timings, wherein the biogas informationrepresents a concentration of acetophenone of a user acquired by asensor that detects acetophenone discharged from a skin surface of theuser; obtaining reference information representing an upper limit of anormal range of the concentration of acetophenone per unit period oftime, using a memory storing the reference information representing theupper limit of the normal range; determining a stress time period duringwhich a concentration of the acetophenone of the user is more than theupper limit of the normal range, based on the acquired biogasinformation; and outputting notice information representing that stresson the user is more than the upper limit of a predetermined normal rangewithin the determined stress time period to display the noticeinformation on a display.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe display is provided on an information terminal of the user.